About Carlos Tanguinlay Palanca, Sr.

Carlos Palanca, Sr. was one of the most prominent Filipino-Chinese or Tsinoy businessmen and philanthropists during the American era. Tan Quin Lay (his Chinese name) immigrated to the Philippines in 1884. He was an apprentice at a relative's hardware business for six years, until he opened his own store in 1890. During the American era, Tan, now baptized as a Christian with the name Carlos Palanca, diversified into textile trading until 1902, when he started a small distillery named La Tondeña. The distillery merged with the Song Fo Company in a partnership until 1913. Due to Palanca's astute business acumen, he was able to propel his company to become one of the top liquor suppliers. His heirs decided it was fitting that his name be commemorated in an endeavor that would help enrich the country's cultural heritage. Thus, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature were established in 1950. The Palanca Awards have been a continuing touchstone in Philippine literature, with most of the great writers having ended up on their illustrious roster.